Police & Fire Blotter

Deadly Crash Driver Apologizes at Sentencing

Matthew A. Carter was sentenced to 7½ to 15 years behind bars for the deaths of a Bristol man and New York City woman.

On Valentine's Day, a tale of forgiveness played out in Judge Wallace Batemen's courtroom during the sentencing of a man who killed two people in a drunk driving accident in Falls Township, the Bucks County Courier Times reports. The family of one of the victims spoke out and said they forgave Matthew A. Carter, 30, of Bristol Township, for the crime he committted. The message came just moments before Bateman sentenced Carter to 7½ to 15 years in prison for the deaths of Mercer County Corrections Officer Paul Labranche, 46, of Bristol, and his passenger, Confesora Rosario, 45, of New York City, a story in the paper said. Reports stated Carter applogized for the deaths. The vehicle the victims were in was pushed off the Route 13 by Carter's…

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NHS to Offer Students Support Following Recent Losses

Following the recent deaths of current and former Neshaminy High School students, the school will be offering additional support to students.

Since Jan. 1, the Neshaminy community has experienced a great deal of loss. Three young men, all current and former Neshaminy High School students, lost their lives. Because of that, Neshaminy High School will be offering additional support to its students. School officials have also listed a variety of resources for the community for 24/7 and immediate assistance. Immediate Help: Resources for Grief Counseling (not 24/7): On New Year's Day, Trevor Newman, 16, was struck and killed by a Septa commuter train just south of the Langhorne Train Station in Middletown. The death of the Neshaminy High School student was ruled an accident.  Former Neshaminy High School student Brandon Rogers was killed Sunday, Jan. 6, when he lost control of his …

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Memorial for Young Motorcycle Crash Victim Grows

A roadside memorial has sprung up near the spot where Brandon Rogers, 20, of Levittown was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle on Sunday.

Brandon Rogers, 20, of Levittown was killed when he lost control of his sport bike on Sunday afternoon in Middletown. Related:

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Police & Fire Blotter

Woodbourne Road Motorcycle Death Ruled Accidental

Brandon Rogers, 20, of Levittown was killed when he lost control of his sport bike on Sunday afternoon in Middletown.

A cause of death for the 20-year-old Levittown man killed when he lost control of his sport bike motorcycle on Woodbourne Road in Middletown on Sunday afternoon has been ruled accidental. Bucks County Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell said Brandon Rogers died of “multiple traumatic injuries” sustained when he was thrown off his bike. Police sources say the victim was located several hundred feet away from his bike. Authorities believe the victim was ejected from the bike after losing control at around 3:15 p.m. by the Knights of Columbus Hall. No other vehicles were involved. Rescuers rushed the Red Rose Gate resident to nearby Aria Health Bucks County Campus in Falls Township. Campbell said lifesaving efforts were in vain and Rogers was …

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Police & Fire Blotter

Man Killed in Accident Outside Popular Diner

A man was struck and killed early Friday morning along Route 13.

A man was struck and killed by pick-up truck early Friday morning outside the Golden Eagle Diner on Route 13 in Bristol Borough. According to police Sgt. Pete Faight, the victim was walking in a lane of travel at the Bath Road turn off on Route 13 when a pick-up truck driven by a New Jersey man going to work struck and killed the victim just before 2:30 a.m. NBC 10 identified the man as Enrigue Garcia, 44. The death remains under investigation, but the driver of the truck is fully cooperating with the investigation, Faight said. He added that the driver said he did not see Garcia until it was too late. After striking the Garcia and sending him flying several yards, the driver backed up and parked his car in front of the man's limp body in …

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Student Struck by Vehicle Dies of Injuries

Ryan Viola passed away after he was removed from life support.

  The local teen who was struck by a car in a crosswalk on his way to his Bensalem Boulevard school bus stop Thursday morning died from his injuries early Saturday. Ryan Viola, 17, a senior at Bucks County Technical High School, passed away after he was removed from life support at Aria Hospital Torresdale, according to PhillyBurbs. According to NBC, Lisa Ann Murray, 54, of Philadelphia, said she never saw the Viola because it was too dark at 6:30 a.m. when the accident occurred. She reportedly had the green light. Reports say Murray was driving with a suspended license and may face charges related to that. Some Patch readers left condolences in the comments section of a previous article. Karen Sabatini said “our thoughts and prayers to …

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Police & Fire Blotter

Prison for Man Guilty of Deadly DUI Crash

A 30-year-old Bristol Township man plead guilty to causing the death of two people during a July crash in Falls.

A Bristol Township man plead guilty to homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol, involuntary manslaughter and other charges in court on Monday. Matthew A. Carter, 30, was drunk with a blood alcohol level of .22 percent, more than twice the legal limit, when he was involved in a deadly crash that killed two people on Route 13 in Falls Township in July. Judge Wallace Bateman called the 30-year-old “a menace on the roadway” in court, the Bucks County Courier Times reported on Tuesday. Mercer County Corrections Officer Paul Labranche, 46, of Bristol, and his passenger, 45-year-old Confesora Rosario of New York City, were killed after they were ejected from their car during the crash. The two were not wearing seatbeats, …

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State Police Reports

Police ID Victims Killed in I-95 Crash

Two people were killed in a Saturday evening crash.

  The following information was provided by the Pennsylvania State Police Trevose station. Where an arrest is listed, it does not indicate a conviction. For full details from the police reports including names, please click on the attached PDF file. A 19-year-old Philadelphia woman and a 51-year-old Pennington, NJ man, were killed and four others were injured in a crash on I-95 near the Bensalem/Bristol border Saturday evening. On Nov. 24 at 6:25 p.m., state police responded to the accident scene. Police said a vehicle lost control, crashed into a guiderail and became airborne striking another vehicle. Another vehicle was also impacted in the crash. Reports Saturday said two were killed in the accident. State police Sunday confirmed that …

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Police & Fire Blotter

DUI, Homicide by Vehicle Charges Lodged Against Man

The 23-year-old suspect turned himself in at court on Tuesday in Falls Township.

A 23-year-old Falls Township man was arraigned on charges he drove intoxicated into a tree at the corner of Makefield Road and Woolstone Drive in the township during a January 2012 car crash that claimed the life of his friend. Clad in a striped button up work shirt, durable work pants and black shoes Jerel Wade appeared before District Justice Jan Vislosky Tuesday afternoon on charges of homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence, reckless driving and several other charges. According to an affidavit of probable cause, Wade was found injured behind the wheel of his 2008 gray VW GTI shortly before midnight on Jan. 27, 2012. Unconscious friend Rodney Simmons sat next to him in the passenger seat. Fire and …

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Police & Fire Blotter

56-Year-Old Driver Dead Following Falls Crash

William C. Kelly was killed in a crash just off South Old Boulevard in the Fairless Hills section of Falls Sunday night.

Falls police Monday night identified the man killed in a vehicle accident Sunday evening in Fairless Hills. William C. Kelly, 56, was killed just before 9 p.m. in the parking lot of the Lakeview Terrace Apartments when the 2012 Hyundai Accent he was driving struck a tree just off South Olds Boulevard, police said. Investigators are not yet clear what lead to the car traveling through the parking lot, over a curb, onto a grassy area and into a tree. Arriving police reportedly found the 56-year-old dead on arrival. The car's airbag was deployed. Arrest in Alleged Gun Incident; Knifepoint Robbery Reported The newer car suffered extensive center impact damage to the front. Damage so extensive that firefighters were called to remove Kelly's …

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